How to Prune Tips for Scotch Rose Hedges

Scotch roses are easy to prune for both new and experienced gardeners.

Well-suited for both new gardeners and those whose green thumb sprouted long ago, Scotch roses or Scotchbriar shrubs (Rosa spinosissima) offer dark green foliage and fragrant white flowers during the spring and early summer. These plants are also known as Burnet roses (Rosa pimpinellifolia). Plants can live for more than 30 years and work well as a hedge or ground cover due to a free spirited, multi-directional growth pattern. Scotch roses grow in U. S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9 and require very little pruning or maintenance.

1

Cut Scotch roses back to half size immediately after planting the hedge to encourage new growth low on the plant, making the hedge thicker. Plants should then be given only a light trimming once per winter until they mature.

2

Check the plants in the late winter or early spring for cold weather damage. Remove any dead or damaged branches from the plant, cutting as close to the ground as possible or to where a healthy new shoot has branched off of the stem.

3

Deadhead the hedge as needed throughout the spring and early summer blooming seasons to encourage more flowers and improve the appearance of the hedge.

4

Remove older branches to encourage flowering and reduce crowding. Unlike some other varieties, Scotch roses bloom on new branches rather than old ones, so keep new growth to increase the number of blooms.

About the Author

Writing professionally since 2008, Michelle Miley specializes in home and garden topics but frequently pens career, style and marketing pieces. Her essays have been used on college entrance exams and she has more than 2,000 publishing credits. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in accounting, having graduated summa cum laude.